The first time Kevin Correia steps on the mound at Target Field, he will be throwing warm-up pitches for his Twins debut.

His decade-long career has seen him toe the slab in 32 big-league ballparks, but Wednesday, April 3, will mark his first professional outing in Minnesota.

Correia never pitched in the state in the minor leagues as he rose through the San Francisco Giants’ chain.

He never pitched at the Metrodome.

He is oh-for-Minnesota.

All that changes Wednesday against the defending American League champion Detroit Tigers

“It’s no big deal,” he said. “I’ve pitched in a lot of other places for the first time. You get out there, it’s still a mound. It’s the same distance to home plate as anywhere else.”

If Correia, 32, sounds unfazed, that’s the California cool in him.

Take his answer when asked about the key to getting acclimated for a cold-weather outing after spending the past seven weeks in Fort Myers, Fla.

“There is no key,” he said, pulling on an all-black ensemble of leather gloves, jacket and ski cap. “I’ll probably just walk around a couple blocks with my shirt off here to get ready.”

All of this is delivered in a soft, deadpan voice, the better to conserve energy for his day job.

Correia’s unflappable nature is a big part of how he made it this far, transforming himself from an undervalued swingman with the Giants to one of the National League’s most durable pitchers the past four seasons.

Just eight NL right-handers made more starts than Correia (113) dating to 2009. He ranked 10th among that group in both wins (46) and innings (668).

True, Correia has never won more than 12 games in a season or reached the 200-inning barrier, although he fell just two innings short with his hometown San Diego Padres in 2009.

He was on track for a career year in 2011, his first with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he made his first all-star team after going 11-7 in the first half. Unfortunately, the run support dropped off, and an oblique strain kept him from pitching after Aug. 22.

Despite Correia’s modest resume, the pitching-starved Twins saw enough in the veteran righty to hand him a two-year, $10 million contract in free agency this winter.

What should the Twins expect from their new No. 2 starter?

“He shows up. He competes very, very well,” said Clint Hurdle, who managed Correia with the Pittsburgh Pirates the past two years. “He’s got an intense desire when he’s on the mound, a lot of self-confidence. He’s most effective when he’s pitching to contact, getting them to put it in play and hit the ball on the ground.”

Correia won’t blow anybody away with his 89- to 91-mph fastball, but he mixes his repertoire well enough to keep hitters off balance and keep his team in the game. He opened last season with three straight quality starts — six or more innings while allowing three earned runs or fewer — on his way to 16 quality starts in 32 outings.

In terms of attacking hitters, he ranked third in the NL last year in fewest pitches per batter (3.52).

“Changes speeds, reads swings very well,” Hurdle said. “He likes to compete. For me, that’s the biggest character strength he’s got. When he’s out there pitching, he doesn’t think anybody can beat him.”

Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk, a former right-hander who worked in similar fashion, sees the good in Correia, his fellow Californian, as well.

“He’s a professional, big-league pitcher,” Walk said. “He’s not going to be a star on the team. A middle-of-the-rotation guy, but everybody needs a couple of those guys, for sure. If you’re going to be a good team in the big leagues, you’ve got to have a couple of guys like Kevin Correia in your rotation.”

Nothing flashy.

Just consistent, solid production, something the Twins desperately lacked in 2012 when injuries left them with the third-worst earned-run average (4.77) in the majors. Their starting rotation went a combined 39-75 with a 5.40 ERA.

Only the Colorado Rockies’ starters posted fewer wins or a higher ERA.

“Smart pitcher,” Walk said of Correia. “Very businesslike. He likes to work both sides of the plate. The big key for him is being able to hit his spots. He’s not overpowering. He’s not going to blow the ball by people. He has the four basic pitches. When’s he’s putting them where he wants, he can be as tough as anybody.”

What about Twins fans? What does Correia want them to know about the way he rolls?

“I hope I’m going to go out there and give us a chance to win the game, not only Wednesday but the majority of the starts during the season,” he said. “That’s how I pitch. I get wins because I think I can keep our team in the ballgame, putting our offense in a position to score a run or two late in the game that will win the game.”

Any nerves?

“There’s always some, but no more than usual,” he said. “It’s a new environment. You want to go out there and do well for your first time out there. It should be fun. It’s always nice to go out there for the first time with a new team. It’s exciting. First time you get to throw for your new fans, and the first time for them to see you. You always want to make a good first impression.”

CORREIA’S CONSISTENCY

Since becoming a full-time starter in 2009, these are Kevin Correia’s stats:

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